Commentary: Nota Ferry Fan clarifies position; opposition to the City intensifies

By admin

City of Santa Clarita Dave Bossert Development Traffic/ Roadways

Since my last commentary titled; “New Frank Ferry Video is a regurgitation of past efforts; Still Funny, still lopsided,” I’ve had a nice email exchange with Nota Ferry Fan who has clarified their stance on growth in SCV and refuted my assumption that Nota Ferry Fan was part of the “now that I’m here there should be no more building” crowd.

I received this email from Nota Ferry Fan shortly after my last commentary was posted; “Be advised that I am not of the opinion that SCV’s growth should come to a screeching halt now that I am here. I too have been here for 30 years and I agree that much of the growth has been very beneficial. However, we all know it’s gotten out of control considering traffic grid limitations here. I am a realist & expect further growth but I do not want to see our neighborhoods sacrificed. Beyond that…. very good article this morning. Keep up your good work!”

Naturally I was pleased with this email because I too am not opposed to well managed, intelligently planned growth and agree that the traffic is becoming a problem around the Santa Clarita Valley. This is mostly due to the City’s poor ability at taking preemptive action in anticipating and mitigating traffic pressure points. There are numerous examples of that within the City including the east bound left turn lane on Valencia Blvd to McBean Parkway; the intersection at Valencia Blvd and Bouquet Canyon; and others.

I’ve also suggested that Nota Ferry Fan do a video on the complete and utter mess perpetrated on the downtown Newhall business district. Closing off through traffic from San Fernando Blvd; creating a traffic bypass; and the boneheaded choice to have “backed in” parking (since fixed). I’m sure most, if not all, of those choices contributed to the closure of Newhall Hardware. Just think of what happened to Route 66 when the Interstate Highways were built bypassing all those business districts!

By the way, I have no idea who Nota Ferry Fan is nor have I even asked. I don’t know whether Nota Ferry Fan is a man or woman, although I have my suspicion that it is a man.

Generally, I do not like people hiding behind a pseudonym but in this case I’ve made an exception primarily because I know first hand the despicable tactics that some at the City have engaged in to try and silence their critics. There are many well respected individuals in SCV who want to speak out against the City but feel they can’t because they either have a business, business dealings, or have a variety of personal relationships within SCV they do not want to have disrupted by having their good name smeared, defamed or denigrated.

What has been gratifying about the email exchange with Nota Ferry Fan and others in SCV is that many who had questioned my outspoken comments about the City, annexation and self-determination are now supportive and understand my viewpoint. They are starting to see that, as Nota Ferry Fan stated, “It’s no mystery to me why the West Side communities are not at all anxious for annexation to The City of Santa Clarita.”

It is also amazing to see residents realizing that if they band together and speak as one voice they will be heard. They are making a difference all around the Valley. Just look at the results the Canyon Country Advisory Committee was able to achieve in stopping the materials sorting facility, A.K.A. the Dump, from being built; that project plan has been withdrawn.

Nota Ferry Fan pointed out in one email to me that, “the Calgrove Coalition organization is rising up to protect their neighborhoods because they know The City will alter zoning laws in a New York minute if it means reeling in more tax revenue. We have witnessed citizen after citizen voicing concern about cul-de-sacs being opened up for traffic flow through their neighborhoods. These fine citizens have reached out to our City Council Members in 3 minutes speeches, pleading with them to resolve extreme traffic conditions in their neighborhoods only to be completely ignored… other than Franken Ferry suggesting the posting of more signage.”

It is no wonder when City Manager Ken Pulskamp’s stated goal when he was selected as city manager was to “turn Santa Clarita from a suburban bedroom community into a legitimate urban center of its own.” That translates into potentially more than doubling the existing population to upwards of 500,000 according to some City planners.

What we are witnessing is a splintered grass roots movement scattered around SCV in which ordinary residents are now starting to question the judgment of City of Santa Clarita officials on various proposed projects. It seems that the next logical step is for these individual community groups to link up into a loose valley wide coalition.

It would afford all residents the ability to share information and to work towards the common goal of contributing meaningfully to the challenges facing SCV. Whether it is the hospital expansion, locating the material sorting facility, the Smiser Ranch development or the self-determination issues facing the unincorporated areas surrounding the City.

There is strength in numbers! And that is what is needed to stop the City from doing as they please and treating regular citizens with such disrespect. The City Council was supposed to have been elected to represent City residents; not to rubberstamp whatever the City Manager “recommends.” At least those of us that live in the County have a responsive and interested Supervisor and County staff that are working with the residents!

Dave Bossert
Commentary

Dave Bossert is a community volunteer who serves on a number of boards and councils. His commentaries represent his own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization he may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon.

Comments

4 · as published

WethePeopleSCV
WethePeopleSCV Says: May 29th, 2008 at 1:54 pm Dave, I we are pleased to have one very large issue in common. This was a very fair and accurate article regarding our building, traffic, our cities misguided PATH to urbanization, and Not a Ferry Fan’s videos. Not a Ferry Fan has been able to make an interesting statement by remaining anonymous and I hope that remains. Knowing who it is would turn the focus off the message in the videos to the chip on this producers shoulder. A worthy chip I might add. This persons point is being made in a way with many truths that can’t be ignored anymore and I think many people are hoping that our “One Valley One Vision” will start to reflect the will of the people, now that we’ve found a way get voices heard. None of these issues are simple to handle but the solutions need to come from a collaborative effort between City and residents, where creativity can work in everyones benefit. Thanks for your objective view on this and putting it into words. Sterling King WethePeopleSCV
admin
admin Says: May 29th, 2008 at 7:22 pm Dear Sterling, Thank you for your thoughtful comments on my commentary. The only way the Santa Clarita Valley can continue to grow in an intelligent way is to work with residents and various local groups. This will create a win/win for the entire valley. It is clear that the current path that the City is on is not working and is heading for serious trouble if they continue their shenanigans. Unfortunately, the only way to change course now is for the City to really shake things up. That would require guts on the part of the City Council as they are the ones that should be directing the City Manager, not the other way around. Thank you, -Dave
Darryl Manzer
Darryl Manzer Says: May 30th, 2008 at 7:38 am Dave, Well stated and fair. As an aside, I can gather my old gang on horseback and ride around helping to gather the herd and then make them vote right…LOL. (Isn’t that how we first met each other?). Any change to the current political make-up of the SCV will have to come from those “outside” government “inside” now be it City of SC of LA County. THE PEOPLE will have to get involved and it appears that they are moving together. For that we can thank the City Manager, Council, and the county. We don’t want what they have and will let them know in voices strong and united. -Darryl
Pauline Harte
Pauline Harte Says: May 30th, 2008 at 4:05 pm Dave, amazing commentary. Yes, some get punished for speaking out, but some have had enough. People who helped form this city’s General Plan, people who have contributed to many areas of city growth for decades, have a right to voice opinions about how city goverment decisions are affecting the future of this city. I am not anti-growth. But I believe existing communities should not be devastated because of new growth. New developments should not be allowed to destroy older neighborhoods by adding so much traffic that once-quiet streets become freeways just because developers do not want to cut into their profits by including proper ingress and egress to their projects that would enable surrounding communities to exist in harmony with the new developments. Put in the development, just don’t destroy the existing neighborhoods. Stop opening cul-de-sacs, and add traffic calming measures where they are needed – and they are needed when residents ASK FOR THEM, when they get so desperate, they plead for their neighborhoods before city council! Bragging about saving Elsmere Canyon from becoming a dump and then trying to put a DUMP in the middle of a residential area is beyond ludicrous. I believe that any council member who publicly states that the opinions of dozens of people don’t count because 175,000 more aren’t there should step down from that seat. Trying to eliminate our voices by shortening public comment AND our 3 minutes is unacceptable. I believe there should have been an official community advisory committee to oversee the changes to our original General Plan – such a committee crafted the General Plan in the first place, now the revisions to the General Plan have had no such committee to speak for the citizens of SCV. Once the revisions are completed and circulated, they are a done deal. And if too many of us go to city council to object to any of the revisions, we have already been warned (by Frank Ferry) that time restrictions will be imposed if our numbers are deemed to be an unproductive nuisance to the council session; then, like bad little children, we are chastised and insulted for voicing our legitimate concerns before the governing body that is SUPPOSED to exist for the people. And as we attempt to save our city from becoming another blighted, crime-ridden San Fernando Valley, we have become, I am sad to say, enemies of the state.